Abstract

Professionals entering the fields of education and human services will spend much of their career engaged in meetings. The vast majority of these meetings will be in small group or private sessions. It is in these environments that sexual misconduct or other crimes of opportunity can easily occur if a professional does not take proactive steps to create a positive meeting environment. This chapter will discuss the vital importance of creating safe meetings so a professional can oversee not only a safe meeting for all those in attendance but also a productive and positive meeting designed to meet the needs of their students and clients.

Keeping Meetings Free Of Misconduct

People moving into the fields of education and human services are by nature those who love to meet with people and help them maximize their potential. These are the very hands-on professions that demand frequent meetings with students, clients, family members and professional peers. While the focus of this book is on sexual misconduct, the concepts discussed in this chapter will not only apply to creating positive meeting space to avoid sexual misconduct or assault but equally apply to all types of scenarios that may turn a meeting from a positive meeting to an unsafe meeting.